The Audi Q3 range opens with the 103kW 2.0-litre TDI six- speed manual,
front-wheel drive, at $44,800.
|
The High-performance turbodiesel, with 130kW, plus
a seven-speed twin clutch automated manual S-Tronic transmission and quatlro
all-wheel drive, is fitted to the 2.0TDi quattro S-Tronic, as tested, at
$54,500.
Base petrol model is the 125kW litre TFSi, six-speed manual quattro, at $47,000. The S-Tronic version
is $48,950.
The 155kW 2.0-litre TFSi
quattro manual is $56,000.
The numbers suggest that
you're not that much better off if you choose the more powerful version of the
2.0-litre turbodiesel, particularly in real world driving.
It's got a sizeable power
advantage, but this is at pretty
high revs, where you rarely go
in a turbodiesel. Its 60Nm torque advantage (380Nm vs 320Nm) can be felt more
readily, as the engine moves from idle into the midrange, where it performs
very strongly and smoothly.
Of course you also get quattro
and the S-Tronic transmission with the high-performance turbodiesel. That's
what you're paying the big bucks for.
The Q3, with quattro. is as
capable in corners as BMW’s X1 ; the
bonus is a more comfortable, compliant ride, as the Q3 uses conventional tyres
(with a SpaceSaver spare) rather than the BMW's runflats.
The electric steering, which
Audi has got spot on in its updated A4 range, doesn't quite work here. It
offers no road feel. has a vague, disconnected character,
and is prone to constant,
annoying kickback on rough surfaces.
You sit high. with clear
vision around the car. however a rear camera, which every SUV should have. is a
$1350 option. There's plenty of driver's seat and steering wheel adjustment.
The dash features Audi’s brightly lit, clearly legible
instruments and the MMI media interface, here with the optional navigation
system, and a pop- up screen. It's not the fastest navigation in the world, so
you can sometimes wait too long for an instruction, and moving around the MMI
system, with the rotary cursor knob here in a vertical position on the dash
rather than on the fiat centre console between the front seats. is quite
counterintuitive.
The back seat has a firm, fiat, comfortable cushion that suits child restraints; two conventional anchors on the seat
back, plus two sets of Isofix mounts, are provided.
Legroom is pretty good for a
small SUV, and most adults will be able to travel comfortably. There's no
fold-down centre armrest, or front seal back pockets for storage, which is
silly. AU you get are a couple of small door bins. A 12volt outlet and vents
are provided.
The Q3's coupe-like rear
styling compromises boot volume, so although the floor is reasonably large, you
can't carry that much stuff. The 60/40 split rear seat folds down to a floor
that’s not fiat.
The Q3 gives BMW's X1 some
serious competition. The Audi’s a good thing, but it’s
expensive, especially when you consider that the same engineering DNA with a
Skoda Yeti or VW Tiguan badge, or Mazda’s classy CX5
diesel, can be had fora lot less.
THINGSWE LIKE
✓
Class-leading quality
and refinement
✓
AU four engines are excellent in performance and
economy
✓
One of the best handling SUVs on the road
✓
Comfortable ride
✓
High resale value
THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE
X Expensive
X Vague, remote-control steering
X Steering kickback on rough roads
X Too rnany expensive options
X Not much boot space
X High semcing costs and some reliability issues
SPEX (2.0TDI quattro S-Tronic)
•
Made in Spain
•
2.0-litre four cylinder turbodiesel/ seven-speed
automated manual/ all-wheel drive
•
130kW of power at 4200rpm/380Nm of torque from
1750-2500rpm
•
0-100km/h in 8.2
seconds (clairnedl
•
5.3L/100km highway; 7.017100km city; C02 emissions are
156gkm
•
Warranty: Three
years/unlirnited kilométrés
•
The 130kW 2.0TDi quattro (and 155kW 2.0TFSi quattro)
includes stability control. six airbags. 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking
sensors, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights. roof rails, dual zone air, Bluetooth
with audio streaming, fake and real leather upholstery
•
Redbook future values: 3yr: 62 per cent; 5yr: 49 per
cent
